[Tuesday--Moon Time]

[birthrightgreen]

The morning came clear and sunny. Surreal didn't notice. Or rather, she did, peeking one eye up at the sun. And then she whimpered. Because, Mother Night, that hurt. Not the sunlight. The pain in her abdomen.

She tried to close the curtains, knowing what even that little bit of Craft would cost her. The rippling pain seemed worth it to avoid getting out of bed. Her tiny cry was enough to bring Graysfang bounding in, though.

He could smell what was wrong without asking. Any male could. It was a protective instinct developed over generations. Females wielded great power, but the first three days of their moontime they couldn't use it. Any use of Craft would be painful. The larger the use, the more excruciating. Without the use of Craft, they were vulnerable. Males could sense it. They tended to band around their chosen females to protect them from other males, or rival females, at that point, becoming fiercely protective. Warlord Princes had been known to rise to the killing edge at the slightest perceived threat.

The darker the Jewels she wore, the more debilitating the witch's moontime was, as if it had to balance the immense power she commanded the other 25 days of her cycle. A witch could stop her moontime for maybe one month, drawing on her power if the need was great, but she'd pay for it the next cycle.

Surreal had stopped hers the month before. Something was going on and in the pain she was in now, she couldn't remember what, but it had seemed a prudent sacrifice at the time. Everything has a price. She was paying it. Not much to do but wait it out. Curl up. Read. Try to sleep.

Daemon brewed good tonics to ease the pain, if she remembered properly, but she couldn't quite bring herself to call for him. Not yet. He got so growly and fussy and while petting didn't seem actually that bad of an idea right now, even sending a thought along a Green thread would be too much effort.

Graysfang leapt up onto the bed, circled three times, and curled up next to her, a warm presence. He didn't sleep, though. His eyes flicked back and forth between the balcony door and her bedroom door, searching for a threat. If she was in too much pain he'd go get someone, but for now he just nuzzled her a bit and urged her back to sleep.

It was a sign of how much it hurt and how drained she felt that she didn't protest.

ooc: If anyone wants to stop by with tonics or novels or gentle petting and conversation, feel free. Just needed a reason she wasn't off doing things or reading her friend's list or whatever for the next three days and this seemed a good canon reason. ;)

Comments

[kaeleers-heart.livejournal.com]

Jaenelle didn't bother knocking before coming into Surreal's room. The ring she had given Surreal alerted her to her sister's pain, but it was Ladvarian who got her to make one of her special tonics and bring it to Surreal.

She floated a chair next to the bed and Ladvarian sat next to the chair after she settled into it. She handed Surreal a glass.

"Here, Sister, this will help."

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

Surreal gave her a wan smile, shifting to prop herself up with pillows and take it.

"Thank you."

She eyed it before drinking, though. Not to test it, she trusted Jaenelle, but simply because of a few comments that had been made about the kick some of Jaenelle's tonics had.

[kaeleers-heart.livejournal.com]

Jaenelle's lips twitched as she watched Surreal.

"Tonics for this have no kicks, Surreal. They need to be gentle on a witch's system."

She called in a comfortable wrap and made sure that Surreal was comfortable before calling in some candles and some of her favorite novels.

Ladvarian laid down by her feet and she smiled at Surreal in understanding. "Gentle pets or reading right now?"

Obviously, her sister was going nowhere.

"Oh, I kissed Daemon last night."

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

She sipped at the tonic with a slightly rueful smile. "I think pets are all about all I'm good for."

She snuggled down, shifting to be more comfortable, but her smile brightened a bit at the news.

"Did you now? And how did it go?"

[kaeleers-heart.livejournal.com]

Jaenelle's eyes lit up and her smile became soft.

"I don't think I have to worry about him not wanting me," she said with a grin. "It was much different than when I was a child."

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

Surreal chuckled. "I should hope so, sugar. And good. I'm glad."

[klmeri.livejournal.com]

Okay, I couldn't not reply to this...

Are you sure you would want a male fussing over you right now, when you hurt that damned bad?! I'd be smacking the nearest male hand with the cane I keep next to the bed--just for that purpose alone.

[hayllian-whore.livejournal.com]

Daemon gets more and more tense as he approaches Surreal's room. He knows it's her moon-time. Her psychic scent makes it impossible to miss.

He's about to knock on the door, when he catches another psychic scent, one that's cool, dark, and skitters down his spine. Jaenelle. As long as he knows someone is looking after Surreal, he won't intrude.

[oldestbeloved.livejournal.com]

Samael debated for a while before deciding to visit. Both because Jaenelle was there and because he and Surreal were neither in the best of shape. Still, it might be reassuring to them both. And it would only be a short visit anyway.

He sent a telepathic sort of general 'knock' beforehand, of course, to the three in the room.

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

She smiled when she felt him, a swell of relief that he was well enough to get in contact.

She sent a rueful welcome back. Pale and with smudges under her eyes was not exactly how she had envisioned seeing him again, but the tonic had eased the pain and she was more desirous of knowing he was okay than giving in to vanity.

[oldestbeloved.livejournal.com]

He flickered in at her touch, standing at the opposite side of the bed from Jaenelle and resting a hand at Surreal's shoulder.

He brushed a kiss over her forehead before looking to Jaenelle, a small bow. "Lady Jaenelle." Softer smile. "Surreal."

Exhausted, almost drained, but his eyes are bright and clearer that they've been in several days. His face is drawn and pale but his posture is strong, and his hands don't shake anymore.

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

"Jaenelle, this is Samael." She smiled up at him, tired, but just happy to see him. She winds her fingers through his, tugging just a little for him to sit so she doesn't have to stare up at him.

Graysfang grumbles just a tiny bit, watching him closely for any sign of a threat, but he moves out of the way.

[oldestbeloved.livejournal.com]

He smiles, giving her hand a very gentle squeeze and settling next to her. He slips his other hand around her, changing hands so he can slide his arm around her shoulder.

And, noting that he's been remiss, a polite nod to the four-foots. *Lord Graysfang, Lord Ladvarian.*

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

She sighs a little, settling against him, head on his shoulder. Tonic or not, her energy level is nonexistent.

Graysfang settled back at the foot of the bed. *Prince*

Her voice was soft as she snuggled close. "How are you?"

[oldestbeloved.livejournal.com]

"Better." Also softly, stroking fingertips over her shoulder. "Not... well, better. For a time."

Subtly, a small sphere of crystal appears on her bedside table.

"I won't stay long," he murmurs. "But I rather thought... hoped. It might help to visit for a moment."

[kaeleers-heart.livejournal.com]

Jaenelle places her hand on Ladvarian's head as she feels a snarl starting to rumble in his throat at the stranger.

*Ladvarian,* she says on an open thread so all in the room can hear her. *Surreal wants Prince Samael here with her right now.*

She smiles at Samael. "I apologize, Prince. But the males in our court get very protective of the Witches during their moontimes." She shrugs. "He is doing what he considers to be his duty."

Jaenelle looks at him for a very long moment and then nods her head. "I can see why my sister cares for you."

[oldestbeloved.livejournal.com]

He smiles slightly. "I do understand." Another reason, it's implied, he won't be staying long.

"There's been some... upset at home." A shadow passes over his eyes for a moment, something haunted and familiar. "I thought I'd stop by and reassure that I was all right."

For now. But he won't say that either.

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

She nods. There's a difference between well and better. She glances at the crystal curiously but it was so subtle a move she isn't sure he wants her to comment.

"Better's a start," she says softly.

[oldestbeloved.livejournal.com]

Light hug, soft brush of a kiss over her hair.

"I'd best be on my way, I think." A small smile as he glances at the four-foots. More for their comfort than out of any danger, though... he shakes his head slightly. Impulses. Harder to control than he'd thought. "Take care, my lovely."

He slips out from behind her, and gives Jaenelle a slight bow, hands clasped delicately behind his back. An amused glance at the crystal sphere sets it alight with a soft blue glow, and music playing.

The first words trickle out as he fades. We're walking in the air / we're floating in the moonlit sky...

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

"You too..." It's more thought than sound, floating after him.

She smiles softly as the music starts to play, remembering as she snuggles down under the covers again.

There's the slightest blush on her cheeks when she glances at Jaenelle.

"So. That's Samael."

[oldestbeloved.livejournal.com]

ooc: *chuckles*

It's a music-box... type. Thing. It'll play for a touch of power, any of five songs:
Walking in the Air
Fields of Gold
As the World Falls Down
Sister Moon
All for Love (with Julien and Dai)

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

*g* We figured the music-box part. And awwwwww...

*snuggles Sam muchly, promises that if he's still up when I get home tonight he can talk to Wes for a little while--but that he shouldn't stay up past his bedtime just for that*

[lady-arcane.livejournal.com]

*g* Awwww. Yay!

[adsartha.livejournal.com]

*amused* Dai kinda blinked and went "oh. Okay then." at this. In that half-bemused tone that means he's somewhat flattered but he's not willing to say anything. *snugs him, grins*

[fannyfae]

Fanny looked at Surreal splayed on the bed, obviously in pain, trying desperately to ride out the pain that her cycle was causing her.

Having prepared a blood nourishing and tonifying tonic of nettle, red clover and blue lotus steeped in the finest Alexandrian wine, she offered it to Surreal.

"The lotus will relax you along with the wine, while the nettle and red clover will strengthen you."

Why does your Power time afflict you so? Men usually fear this part of a woman most for according to some she is the most powerful then"- though the energy is quite chaotic."

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

Surreal takes the tonic, probing it habitually before sipping it.

"Thank you."

She looks at Fanny oddly. "Most powerful during her moon time? No, in our world the first three days are the time a witch is most vulnerable. We can't wear our Jewels. Even basic Craft can be painful."

[fannyfae]

"How curious, "Fanny looks at Surreal, "I suppose our worlds are quite different. The only reason a woman cannot touch most sacred implements or preside over Ritual is because the energy is so chaotic and so powerful. Far too many thought that they possessed the ability to control it, only to have it bite them, or e én tear them in half."

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

Surreal's smile is rueful. "I'd trade that I think. On the other hand, how hard these times are is in direct proportion to how powerful a witch is the other 25 days of her cycle. And that it's this bad this time is my own fault."

ooc: *g* oops? wrong journal.